Master’s Thesis 2018 30 ECTS Faculty of Life Science Department of International Environment and Development Studies NORAGRIC William Derman, Main Supervisor at NMBU A Critical Perspective on the Global Political Ecology of Aquaculture and Sustainability Per Ditlef Faye International Environmental Studies Faculty of Life Science Norwegian University of Life Sciences Master's Thesis 2018 Department of International Environment and Development Studies – NORAGRIC A Critical Perspective on the Global Political Ecology of Aquaculture and Sustainability Sustainable farming of the Ocean: A perspective on Sustainability and Aquaculture Per Ditlef Faye International Environmental Studies The Department of International Environment and Development Studies, Noragric, is the international gateway for the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). Eight departments, associated research institutions and the Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine in Oslo. Established in 1986, Noragric’s contribution to international development lies in the interface between research, education (Bachelor, Master and PhD programmes) and assignments. The Noragric Master thesis are the final theses submitted by students in order to fulfil the requirements under the Noragric Master programme “International Environmental Studies”, “International Development Studies” and “International Relations”. The findings in this thesis do not necessarily reflect the views of Noragric. Extracts from this publication may only be reproduced after prior consultation with the author and on condition that the source is indicated. For rights of reproduction or translation contact Noragric. Declaration I, Per Ditlef Faye, declare that this thesis is a result of my research investigations and findings. Sources of information other than my own have been acknowledged and a reference list has been appended. This work has not been previously submitted to any other university for award of any type of academic degree. Signature.............................. Date.................................... Acknowledgements My gratitude is as vast as the World Ocean to all those that have come to my support in the endeavour that was this master thesis. For the academic support and encouragement, and valuable life lessons, I thank Bill Derman, the NORAGRIC department and staff, and all from NMBU that I have engaged with. I am eternally grateful to my friends that gave me what I need when I needed it, and for helping me through the unknown. To my family, I can not think of words that suffice in expressing my appreciation and love. By supporting me my entire life and allowing me to explore the world, you will be forever in my heart. Lastly, to Nature, Earth and Ocean, you bring life, adventure and joy. This thesis marks the final submission of the Master of Environmental studies at NORAGRIC and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). Abstract This thesis takes a critical view of the perspective and discourse of UN and FAO on sustainable fed aquaculture by analysing the “World Ocean Assessment of United Nations” and the FAO “Report on the State of the World’s Fisheries and Aquaculture”. The assessment and the report are analysed by critical content, thematic and discourse analysis, and discussed in a political ecological framework based on critical theory. The assessment of sustainability of fed aquaculture in UN and FAO were found to be framed by the environmental indicators of “conversion rates”, “sourcing” and “substitution”, and the socio-economic indicators of “income”, “employment” and “food and nutrition”. This research gives insight into the discourse on, and the sustainability of, fed aquaculture, and aims to contribute to the efforts for sustainable development of aquaculture as well as engaging the critical discussion on the topic. Acronyms BGI – Blue Growth Initiative CCRF – Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries DA – Discourse Analysis FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FCR – Feed Conversion Rate GAAP – Global Aquaculture Advancement Partnership GEM – Global Environmental Management GNP – Gross National Product SDGs – Sustainable Development Goals UN – United Nations WOA – World Ocean Assessment RQs – Research Questions QR – Qualitative Research Table of Contents Declaration …………………………………………………………………………….. p. iii Acknowledgments …………………………………………………………………….. p. iv Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………... p. v Acronyms …………………………………………………………………………….... p. v Table of Contents …………………………………………………………………….... p. v 1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………… 1 ​ ​ ​ 1.1 Objectives and RQ’s…………………………………………………………. 3 1.2 Thesis structure…………………………………………………………......... 3 ​ ​ THE CANVAS - Part 1 2. Theoretical perspective and approach……………………………………………... 5 2.1 Political Ecology……………………………………………………………… 5 ​ ​ ​ 2.2 Critical Realism……………………………………………………………… 8 2.3 Discourse Analysis…………………………………………………………... 9 3. Background:............................................................................................................. 11 3.1 Global Perspectives and discourse on the state of the ocean……………….... 11 3.2 United Nations and the Food and agricultural organization…………………. 12 3.3 Sustainability and Fed Aquaculture…………………………………………. 12 4. Methodology……………………………………………………………………… 14 4.1 Research Strategy: Case study…………………………………………….... 16 4.2 Type of case study…………………………………………………………… 16 4.3 Critique of case study……………………………………………………….. 17 4.4 Binding the case……………………………………………………………… 17 4.5 Description of cases…………………………………………………………. 18 5. Analytical framework……………………………………………………………. 19 5.1 Grounded theory……………………………………………………………. 19 5.2 Content and Thematic analysis…………………………………………….. 20 5.2.1 Coding for analysis………………………………………………….. 21 5.3 Discourse Analysis as Framework………………………………………… 23 5.4 Range of Data……………………………………………………………... 23 5.5 The Process……………………………………………………………….. 24 5.5.1 Description of process for content and thematic analysis………….. 24 5.5.2 Description of process for discourse analysis…………………….... 25 5.6 Reliability and Validity…………………………………………………… 25 5.7 Ethical Considerations……………………………………………………. 27 5.8 Limitations………………………………………………………………… 27 THE MAP - Part 2 6. Theoretical framework…………………………………………………………. 28 6.1 Political ecology………………………………………………………….. 29 6.2 Framework of political ecology………………………………………….. 29 6.3 Principles…………………………………………………………………. 30 6.3.1 First set of principles………………………………………………. 30 6.3.2 Second set of principles……………………………………………. 31 6.3.3 Third set of principles……………………………………………… 32 6.3.4 Fourth set of principles…………………………………………….. 33 THE VOYAGE - Part 3 7. Analysis……………………………………………………………………….. 34 7.1 WOA (2016)....................……………………………………………….. 35 7.2 FAO, 2016………………………….……………………………………. 38 7.3 Sustainability…………………………………………………………….. 40 7.3.1 Natural resources and sustainability……………………………. 41 7.4 Aquaculture………………………………………………………………. 44 7.4.1 Fed aquaculture…………………………………………………….. 45 7.4.2 Aquafeed……………………………………………………………. 47 THE DESTINATION - Part 4 8. Sustainability of fed aquaculture………………………………………………… 48 ​ 9. The Markers of sustainability………………………………………………….. 49 9.1 The environmental markers………………………………………………. 49 9.1.1 Sourcing……………………………………………………………. 49 9.1.2 Conversion rate…………………………………………………….. 50 9.1.3 Substitution………………………………………………………… 52 9.2 The socio-economic markers……………………………………………. 55 9.2.1 Food and nutrition…………………………………………………. 55 9.2.2 Income…………………………………………………………….. 56 9.2.3 Employment……………………………………………………….. 56 10. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………… 57 10.1 Findings………………………………………………………………... 57 10.1.1 First principle……………………………………………………. 57 10.1.2 Second principle…………………………………………………. 59 10.1.3 Third principle…………………………………………………… 63 10.1.4 Fourth principle………………………………………………….. 65 10.2 Conclusive remarks……………………………………………………. 66 References…………………………………………………………………………… 68 Appendices………………………………………………………………………….. 74 1. Introduction Sustainability of human activities related to the ocean is the key concept behind the publications of UN “World ocean assessment” (WOA 2016) and FAO “The state of world fisheries and aquaculture” (FAO 2016). Since the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) sustainability has been dominating the discourses on environmental and developmental issues. The release of these publications were one of the pinnacle points in implementing sustainable development of ocean related sectors, from tourism to food production. The rhetoric of the UN and FAO promotes sustainability and sustainability science as concept and tool for global coordination to handle socio-economic and environmental concerns. This is, argued here to be, based on managerialism, standardisation of ideas and construction of reality. (Adger et. al. 2001; Scott 1999). The issue examined here, sustainability of fed-aquaculture, is much debated as a food producing sector in relation to economic growth, environmental impacts and socio-economically to income, employment and food security at scales from local to global. Main reason for this current attention on the ocean is the narrative of it being a frontier for economic growth and sustainable development. Looking beyond fisheries, which in global terms are generally overexploited, the aquacultural development has seen substantially growth in economic terms, as well as raising growing socio-economic and environmental concerns for the last three decades. Working towards better understanding of environmental and socio-economic issues